Lisle board expected to vote on video gambling at upcoming meeting

LISLE – The Lisle Village Board will likely vote on whether to lift the village's video gaming ban during its Sept. 8 meeting, according to Village Manager Jerry Sprecher.

Board discussion of the issue began at an April workshop and continued in June, when officials opted to seek community feedback, with the intention of revisiting the matter at their first August board meeting.

Since then, proponents of both upholding and rescinding the gambling prohibition have addressed the board.

“A business that needs gambling to survive needs a new business plan,” she said, asking for a survey of resident feedback on gaming and expressing concern Lisle would be inundated with liquor license applications that would compete with existing businesses if the ban were lifted.

Sprecher said that since requesting input, the village has received about 50 responses on video gambling from residents or businesses. Residents tend to oppose it, he said, while most businesses are in favor.

At a previous meeting, Raymes Steak & Fish House Owner Jerri Nolan expressed a desire to bring gaming to Lisle.

“We're very pro-gaming,” Nolan said July 21, stating she spoke on behalf of her business and several other hotels and restaurants in the village. “It's something that our neighbors won't have.”

A law allowing gaming was approved by the state legislature in 2009 as a funding source for capital projects, but was initially prohibited by many communities, including Lisle.

A number of nearby towns have since revisited the issue.

Some, such as Westmont and Darien, have dropped their bans. Others, including Woodridge, have opted to continue them after further discussion.

If Lisle chooses to allow gaming, the activity will be governed by state law and the village cannot impose its own restrictions.

Note to Readers: A version of this story containing an error previously ran in print and online. Hilton Lisle-Naperville General Manager Richard Brink did not speak in favor of video gaming before the Lisle Village Board at a previous meeting.

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